​Blog Posts

I caught myself saying something absolutely ridiculous yesterday. When it came out of my mouth, I was stunned. I was up in the mountains (Andes – Peru) enjoying a day of new discovery and adventure. I had been scanning the sky because I had been told that a Great Condor had been spotted in this area. Then I saw a really large bird soaring above the peaks. “Look! Is that it? Whatever it is, it has a huge wingspan.” Then it swooped down and turned so that we got a better look and I said, in my best disappointed-voice, “Oh. Never mind. It’s just an eagle.” Just. When did something so majestic become “just an eagle” to me? I caught myself immediately, and I have been so disappointed in myself ever since. When did I begin ranking God’s creation and God’s creatures as better or worse, more important or less interesting? There had been a time in my life when I searched the skies for precisely what I saw yesterday – for eagles soaring in the mountains. I distinctly remember when I discovered a huge eagle in the mountains in Wyoming bringing her catch to the nest. Majestic! So incredible! Or when I spotted a bald eagle flying along the banks of the lake. So the question beckons… how did yesterday’s eagle become “just an eagle”?

Maybe because we see so many eagles in our life now. We live in an area on the mountain that has lots of wind and updrafts. Consequently, on most any given day, we see several different kinds of eagles flying overhead. They catch the updrafts from the canyon and appear to float or hover overhead for hours. It’s an amazing sight, really. The closest thing I ever saw in Texas was when a group of buzzards would circle, and there was something not very appealing about that. But eagles soaring above us in the mountains… that’s incredible! We also have falcons and owls living near us. The falcons like to hang out in the area behind our house, or in the small canyon directly in front of us. The owl visits us in the night, calling with his very special, very soothing “whoo, whoo, purrrrrrrrrr”. I don’t know what kind he is yet, but I love that he has a purr at the end on his call. On many occasions, his song has gently rocked me back to sleep in the middle of the night. I’m trying to get over my actions of yesterday. I’m trying to remember how all of God’s creatures are unique and special and worthy. And I’m especially praying that I never have this same flippant attitude about people, as though some rank higher or more special or important. How would I feel if I walked in the room and the crowd gasped with excitement, then said, “Oh. It’s justLaurie.” As humans, it could happen. We live in cultures that rank others, that hold higher or lower expectations for others, and that deem some more worthy than others. I’m not saying it should be that way, I’m just saying that it happens. It is another ugly part of sin – judgment of others. But in the Kingdom? No, I think we can rest assured that our Father is watching us and He is saying, “How majestic! How incredible! I’m so glad I saw her in action today. Beautiful!”

Laurie Drum

Who am I? In my USA life, I was a teacher for 15 years. I was also a professional photographer, a Southern Living / Martha Stewart wannabe, a soccer mom, and a short term mission team coordinator / intern director for missions in Mexico... you name it, I probably tried it!

In 2006, my husband Billy and I became cross-cultural workers (CCWs) with TMS Global. For five years, we served in three rural Quechua Wanca villages in the Andes of Peru. And when I say rural, I mean RURAL - like no potty! We have three incredible children... two adult boys who live in Texas, and the princess Sarah (13) lives with us in whatever country we are serving. I'm still teaching, still taking photos, still leading teams and mentoring, I just do it all in full-time service now! And I'm working hard at giving Southern Living and Martha Stewart a run for their money! I spent my days in Peru learning to live a Quechua lifestyle in a rustic adobe house - cooking Peruvian foods, sewing with Quechua women, raising my chickens and goats and pigs, and planting my gardens. Now I live my life in el campo in Spain, serving other cross-cultural workers and immigrant peoples, writing, and trying to figure out what life looks like for a Texas girl serving Christ in Southern Europe. Life in His service is AWESOME! I'm happy to share it with you here... Enjoy!